boyfriend

On Texas

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I used to be a Texas hater. The politics, the Bible belt, the state narcissism. It was all a huge turnoff. Then I started dating someone who wanted to go to college in Texas (and still thought he was crazy). Then I went to Texas in February.

John + Allison in Texas in February. See how happy I look?!
John + Allison in Texas in February. See how happy I look?!

Living in Boston has taught me a lot about myself. First, I thought I would love living in a place where everyone agreed with me on all political issues. Growing up in Kentucky, I was ready to flee the legislative grips of Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul; however, I quickly realized that the flip side had its own downsides. I’m frustrated when citizens with conservative viewpoints are written off as inhuman or worthless, and I have found that without having contact with people who think differently than you do, it’s really easy to dehumanize them in your mind. Primarily, this comes in the form of assuming all Republicans are idiots. I’ll admit I occasionally let myself slip into this mindset, but I try to remember at all times that Republicans are humans, too, with different experiences and backgrounds than my own to form their opinions from. Their opinions should not be valued any less than my own.

The Northeast has also led me to realize that I love tacos, barbecue, and an amazing restaurant scene (read: Texas). Boston is an awesome city for many things and reasons, but food is not one of them. Texas has food on lock. I’ll make a separate post sometime about my favorite Houston eats and you’ll likely hear about my favorite Austin eats over the next week while I’m visiting, but I feel like people who are not from the south don’t quite understand what delicious food tastes like. Or maybe no matter how much I love to hate the south, I will always have a little bit of it with me in my tastebuds.

Final awesome part of Texas? The weather in winter. Picture this: Leaving Boston hours before a huge snowstorm hits and landing in 65-degree Houston before enjoying a weekend of sunshine and 75-degree weather. I get the winter blues like crazy and being able to go anywhere that has awesome weather in February is an absolute dream.

Brace yourselves to hear even more reasons why I’ve learned to love Texas over the next week while I visit John in Austin. Until next time!

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On Texas

I’m Taller than My Boyfriend (5 Facts You’ll Only Know Because I’m Telling You)

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Okay. You can sort of tell in this picture that I'm a little taller.
Okay. You can sort of tell in this picture that I’m a little taller.
Happy Friday! I was trying to think of a cute tradition I could start for every Friday, but I couldn’t think of anything so I’m ditching the idea for now. Here are five fun lil facts you wouldn’t know otherwise!

1. I’m taller than my boyfriend.

I am maybe just now finally becoming okay with this fact, perhaps. Over the past two and a half years, I’ve become incredibly skilled at the art of getting John to stand up straight in pictures and crouching ever-so-slightly to put us eye to eye. There’s only about an inch of difference, but you’d think there were five the number of times I got a “You look so much taller in real life!” the first time I visited John at school.

2. I’m a former ketchup hater.

This was more of a fun fact when I actually hated ketchup. I tricked myself into liking it by transitioning with Whataburger ketchup. It tastes so much better than normal ketchup, I swear. Anyway, I find it to be a pain to be a picky eater, so I’m working on knocking the last few items off of my “won’t eat” list.

3. A year ago, I couldn’t run a full mile without stopping.

I’ve been talking about running a half marathon with John since the end of last summer. Which is funny because even then, I could barely run three miles. I’m finally up to barely being able to run seven and plan on spending the latter half of my summer getting up to 13.1. The mini isn’t until January, but I don’t trust myself if I don’t hit some goals early on.

4. I went on a shopping spree a few months ago and I still feel guilty.

I haven’t looked at an online store since. I was working full time and the money just felt like it was flowing in and it’s not like I’m super strapped for cash now as a result but like…a whole paycheck? On re-vamping your wardrobe? Really, Allison? And you got a pedicure that weekend too? Dear God. Yeah. Like I said. I’m not shopping again for a while.

5. I’ve had iced coffee to drink almost every day for the past three weeks.

The bigger secret? How many packets of Sugar in the Raw I’m putting in that iced coffee. I tried to give up sugar for a couple of weeks this winter. Worst two weeks of my life. I have a horrifying addiction. I promise I’ll try again soon.

I’m Taller than My Boyfriend (5 Facts You’ll Only Know Because I’m Telling You)

Meet John

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Hello, world. This is my boyfriend John.

my latest favorite picture of John (he's on the right)
my latest favorite picture of John (he’s on the right)

We’ve been dating for two and a half years as of four days ago. He’s a pretty important character in my life, so I felt like he needed his own introduction.

He goes to school in Texas and approximately 1,850 miles away from me on a typical day. I see him about once a month and y’all (hehe Texas) will hear about it every time, don’t worry. He’s the kindest human I have ever met.

another favorite picture of John and I from last Christmas time
another favorite picture of John and me from last Christmas time

I’m so thankful to have him.

Meet John